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coin
;
forgery
(ancient)
Object Type
coin
forgery
(ancient)
Museum number
R.6085
Denomination
denarius
Description
Silver coin; ancient forgery.
(whole)
Head of Augustus, laureate, right.
(obverse)
Round shield, inscribed, between two laurel-branches.
(reverse)
State
Associated with:
Roman Empire
Ancient Greece and Rome: Roman Empire
Authority
Ruler:
Augustus (Octavian)
Cultures/periods
Roman Imperial
Production date
20BC-19BC
Production place
Minted in:
Spain
Minted in:
Colonia Patricia (historic - city)
(possibly)
Materials
silver
Technique
plated
Dimensions
Die-axis:
8 o'clock
Weight:
2.82 grammes
$Inscriptions
Curator's comments
In the Res Gestae, Augustus records that the Senate, in giving him the title Augustus, also decreed that the doorposts of his house be officially decorated with laurel, that the corona civica be placed over the door and that a shield be displayed in the Curia Iulia. This shield, or clipeus, had been dedicated to him by the Senate and the Roman People on account of his virtues of bravery, clemency, justice, and piety; virtues which were inscribed on the shield itself. The return in 19 BC of the Roman standards captured by the Parthians in earlier conflicts offered an excellent opportunity to once again recall Augustus' pietas, one of the virtues recorded on the clipeus.
Bibliographic references
RE1 / Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, vol. 1: Augustus to Vitellius
(356, p.63)
RIC1 / The Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. 1
(52a, p.45)
(In RIC is an aureus)
RR2 / Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, vol. 2. Coinages of Rome (continued), Roman Campania, Italy, the social war, and the provinces.
(4448, p.35)
Location
Not on display
Subjects
emperor/empress
arms/armour
tree/bush
Associated names
Named in inscription & portrayed:
Augustus (Octavian)
Acquisition name
Donated by:
George IV, King of the United Kingdom
Previous owner
Previous owner/ex-collection:
George III, King of the United Kingdom
Acquisition date
1825
Department
Money and Medals
Registration number
R.6085
C&M catalogue number
RE1
(63)
(356)
RR2
(35)
(4448)